Want to bring more green to your house or apartment? Using a few easy, inexpensive techniques, <a href="http://www.thehorticult.com/">The Horticult</a> shows how you can garden like you own the place -- without risking your security deposit.
You don't have to own your home to create a garden that reflects your personal style. Grow your favorite plants and create an inspired landscape -- or patio, interior, or balcony -- using these fun, low-commitment methods. (Although you might want to check with your landlord about the larger projects!) And if you move, you can take it all with you. These 10 tips for renters will give your garden a new lease on life.

July Gardening Tips for the Northeast

Irrigate Wisely

Conserve water when you garden by following these water-wise irrigation tips:

Inspect hoses. Check water hoses while they're under full water pressure. Look for leaky connections. Repair as needed.

Trade out the sprinkler. Where possible, install soaker hoses, or a drip tube system, both of which deliver water directly to soil.

Watch the water. At least monthly, observe automatic irrigation systems in action. Make sure you¿re not watering hard surfaces, such as sidewalks or driveways.

Add a rain barrel to catch runoff from rooftops. Install the largest barrel you can afford. Choose one with a cover to prevent wildlife or children from falling in. Make sure the water release spout is situated high enough to allow rain water to flow into your watering container of choice.

Install a timer on sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems. If you purchase a timer, look for one that includes a rainfall shut-off device. New wireless timers gather weather data from the local weather observation stations and adjust watering frequency accordingly.

Keep Flowers Looking Beautiful

Remove spent blooms on roses, perennials, and annuals to keep the flower show going strong. Cut back annuals like petunias in midsummer to encourage fresh growth and flowering. Reduce plant height or length by one-third or more.

Care for Vegetables

Keep your vegetable garden well watered during hot, dry spells. It's best to give most plants about an inch of water a week.

If you irrigate your vegetable garden, avoid doing so in late afternoon or evening. Give the moisture a chance to evaporate before the temperatures start to drop. Also: Avoid getting foliage wet whenever possible, especially on disease-prone species such as tomatoes and squash.

Don't allow vegetables to rot on the vines -- or fall off and decompose in the soil. Fallen fruit attracts pests and can harbor disease.

Pinch basil periodically if you don't harvest it weekly. Pinching keeps it from flowering and ensure you have a full, bushy-looking plant.

If you want fresh, baby potatoes, begin digging them when the plants start to produce blooms. Otherwise wait a little longer until the potato plant begins to turn brown.